When it comes to age on the ballot, Texas didn’t wait until 2024 to weigh in.

Asked to let judges stay on the bench until they’re 79 years old — a year younger than President Joe Biden — Texas voters soundly rejected the proposal in Tuesday’s elections, a defeat that drew new attention to issues of age and fitness for office in the U.S.

“Age is front of mind for American voters in a way that it has not traditionally been and they are nervous about it,” said Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University.

Others cautioned against broader takeaways. At least four other states have rejected similar proposals over the last decade, according to the National Center for State Courts. And states that have passed the measures have mostly done so in close votes.

  • @NewNewAccount
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    -511 months ago

    That’s hardly the problem, imo.

    “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall not never sit.”

    Many of our actions will have consequences that will outlive us. The question is whether the institution is well equipped to behave ethically and just. One of he contributing factors is that all justices are of sound mind, regardless of age.

      • @NewNewAccount
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        411 months ago

        Not going to argue that’s not the case. The root cause is not their age, though. Thats the point I’m trying to make.

      • girlfreddy
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        211 months ago

        There’s literal shit-ton of non-boomer politicians acting in their own self-interest now.

        Age is not a good indicator of selfishness.

    • @[email protected]
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      fedilink
      511 months ago

      Man, these old people aren’t planting trees. That’s part of the problem. They aren’t making the world better for the later generations. They are actively making things worse for the later generations.